Moving on, contradictions, headaches and reassuring back-ups: Talking points from Doncaster Rovers' win at Swindon Town

Fejiri Okenabirhie’s double jab in the first half set them on their way to victory at Swindon Town before strong defences saw them through to a successful conclusion.

Here we take a look at some of the big talking points from the 2-1 win.

MOVING ON

Darren Moore suggested his first port of call would be to look within when it came to replacing Ben Whiteman in his side.

In the first game since the midfielder’s departure to Preston North End was confirmed, the Rovers boss opted to partner Taylor Richards with Reece James in the sitting role.

His hand was perhaps forced by the fact Matt Smith had trained only once since returning after his Covid diagnosis.

Richards’ passing range was superb, with his superb accuracy on show in the build-up to Okenabirhie’s opening goal when he powered a ball through to James who flicked on to send the striker clean through to slot home.

Watching him closely, his positional sense in the role needs some work. He appeared unsure exactly where he needed to be when the centre halves or James had the ball and took some guidance to get him through.

Patience is perhaps required with the Brighton loanee if he is to be the longer term solution, but it is likely Smith will be handed that opportunity first.

And Richards has shown how effective he can be in the more advanced role, where his ability on the ball can unlock the opposition.

James himself continued to look assured in the midfield role and suggested there is not a tremendous urgency to replace Whiteman directly with a new signing.

The more pressing matter is to bolster the numbers in the squad to ensure Rovers are not caught short in the promotion race.

SOLID FOUNDATIONS

Rovers’ two goals on Saturday saw them become the joint top scorers in League One this season. On a goals per game basis, they are the outright leaders.

But it is fair to say - and somewhat remarkable - that their success this season has been built on their strengths at the other end of the pitch.

You can easily argue that Rovers should have scored a lot more goals than the 34 they have managed this season.

Throw in the fact they have kept only three clean sheets in their 19 league matches this term and you have another contradicting stat.

But anyone who has watched Rovers regularly will tell you the defence is the most reliable aspect of the team.

And it was no different at the County Ground.

After a stroll of a first half for the back four, they spent the second period under much more pressure as Swindon shook off their shackles and pushed hard for a way back into the game.

But it took a crafty touch from Hallam Hope to deflect a long range shot home and finally breach Rovers’ rock solid back line.

New skipper Tom Anderson and Andy Butler headed away and mopped up everything that was sent their way, ably supported and covered by the full backs and players dropping in from deep.

There was an unflappability about the back line - just as there was at Blackburn the previous week under even greater pressure.

MORE HEADACHES

The sight of Tyreece John-Jules pulling up suddenly was as sickening as it was last month when Josh Sims did the same.

It was a little heartbreaking to see the on loan Arsenal striker slowly hobble on and away from everyone else on the pitch before finally dropping to the floor.

His situation did not look good and Rovers can ill-afford to lose someone so central to their attacking game, and particularly at the start of another hectic run of fixtures.

Losing Joe Wright in the week to a calf injury - just a few days after James Coppinger was ruled out with the same issue - and Rovers are being stretched to the limit in the most taxing of times.

It was a week that highlighted the demands being put on the bodies of the players and an indication that while they might be elite athletes, they are in fact human.

The enforced break due to the Covid-19 crisis followed by the disruption to training by this week’s snow have ensured the players are not in peak physical condition, certainly not to deal with the demands of the current schedule.

It was disappointing therefore to see Reece James picking up his fifth booking of the season for such unnecessary reasons - kicking the ball away in frustration having conceded a foul.

It was all the more disappointing given he was booked with five minutes left in the final game before his previous four yellow cards would have been chalked off.

The timing was not great on several levels.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

The demands are only increasing as the options available are decreasing but there was heart to be taken in the performance of the returning AJ Greaves, who was handed his league debut off the bench.

He was as all-action as would have been expected by anyone who has watched him rise through the ranks at Rovers, charging down the ball, cutting out passes and putting in the tackles.

It was particularly impressive given Greaves has not played much football for a while, with his loan at Gainsborough Trinity cut short due to the pandemic’s impact on the Northern Premier League.

Driven largely by adrenaline, he played a big role in disrupting Swindon’s attempts to fight their way back into the game.

Greaves showed in his short spell on the pitch that he is definitely one Moore can call upon in an hour of need - something the Rovers boss feels about Branden Horton too after he was recalled his loan to Redditch United.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.